2007 Boulder Capstone Conference United States Air Force Academy Space Systems Research Center

1. 2007 Boulder Capstone Conference United States Air Force Academy Space Systems Research Center USAF Academy’s FalconSAT-3 Program

2. Overview Course Goals/Outcomes Program Background Current Program Status Expectations Organization

4. A436 Course Goals At the end of Small Spacecraft Engineering I (Astro 436) you will be able to: Apply rigorous systems engineering practices to design, build, test and operate a spacecraft Understand the fundamentals of spacecraft design and operations Work effectively as part of a design team

5. A436 Course Outcomes To achieve these goals you will be required to complete and demonstrate an ability to do the following: Critically analyze and trade-off program requirements & constraints (cost, schedule & performance) to develop realistic space system design options. Understand and implement rigorous systems engineering practices. Demonstrate independent learning by researching and assessing specific issues of spacecraft system performance and applying them to individual team tasks. Demonstrate an ability to work effectively as a member of a Space Systems Program Office team, in both leader and follower roles, by: understanding program goals and objectives; identifying problems, analyzing alternatives and implementing solutions; diligently tracking and documenting decisions and analytical results; and successfully completing program milestones.

6. Program Goals Let Cadets “Learn Space by Doing Space” Real-world, Hands-on Experience “Cradle-to-Grave” of Space Missions Mission Design Payload and Subsystem Development Assembly, Integration & Testing Launch & On-orbit Operations Program Management Support DoD space S&T objectives Be a Real AF Program Do Real DoD Science (not just an academic program) Training a Cadre of Space Professionals

7. Spacecraft Open Architecture Partner with industry to transition open-architecture bus designs to COTS SSTL, UK: SNAP hardware from 6.1 to GSA in 1 year SpaceQuest, USA: LatinSat hardware to GSA Open Architecture Basic spacecraft bus provides: power, data handling, communications, payload/subsystem integration architecture Defines a stable, open system design with simple interfaces Focus program Responsive Space Space science experiments Structure, thermal, attitude control Integration, testing, operations Systems engineering

8. Space Systems Research Center Infrastructure Extensive mechanical/electronics facilities Space Simulation Chambers Ground Station Clean room (class 100,000) Vibration/Loads test stand FalconSAT Avionics & Simulation Testbed (FAST)

9. Approach: System Development FalconSat Avionics Simulation and Testbed (FAST) Forms the foundation of FalconSat-N and provides an environment for software, subsystem, and payload development and testing Engineering Model Subjected to the most rigorous and extensive environmental and functional testing Qualification Model Subjected to Qualification-Level environmental test conditions. Flight Model

10. Effects of Scintillation on GPS Data provided by AFRL/VSBXI

11. FalconSAT-3 External View Figure Dipole Antenna 18” Whip Antenna - RX Patch Antenna Array MPACS 7” Whip Antenna Solar Panels PLANE Sun Sensors FLAPS Adapter Ring Lightband Shock Ring Gravity Gradient Boom

12. FalconSAT-3 Payloads and Mission • FalconSAT-3 meets DoD science objectives with three payloads • The third SERB payload also meets DoD technology objectives by demonstrating new thruster technology • Orbital Parameters: • Semimajor Axis – 560 km • Inclination – 35.4 deg • Eccentricity – Near Circular • FLAPS • Investigate plasma morphology • Demo new instrument • Developed by SPARC/NASA/APL • PLANE • Investigate ambient plasma • Demo new sensor • Developed by SPARC • AFOSR tie-in • Shock Ring • AFRL/VS tech demo • High freq vibration isolation • MPACS • Demo/characterize new propulsion technology • AFRL/PR • m-PPT invented, modeled under AFOSR funding

13. FalconSAT-3 Test Program QM FM SEM new boom new boom • May 03, Jan 04 • Dynamic testing • verify design • verify workmanship • determine shock ring performance with lightband • Feb 05 • Dynamic testing • verify design • boom failure • Thermal-Vac • identify component problems • Apr 06, Jun 06 • Dynamic testing • verify assembly • qualify boom • Thermal-Vac • accept components

14. FalconSAT-3 AIT – Vibration Functionality tests conducted on all systems except MPACS & FLAPS due to vacuum requirements All telemetry values nominal

15. FS-3 QM

16. FalconSAT-3AIT – Thermal Vacuum 3 Cycles at +40 deg C with 1st lasting 6 hours 3 Cycles at -10 deg C with 1st lasting 6 hours 10 hours between cycles Functionality tests lasting 2 hours conducted for each cycle PLANE & FLAPS payloads, communication, power (batteries & solar arrays), sun sensors, magnetorquers, magnetometer, WOD file creation Successful throughout entire campaign Battery discharge characterized at -10 & +40 deg C Communication links characterized as a function of temperature

17. Launch Launch day 8 March Astro cadets sent to Cape to watch live launch Topped up batteries, no anomalies noted Launch party in USAFA Ground Station FalconOps trip to ULA

18. Crew Structure and Responsibilities CREW POSITIONS: Crew Commander Satellite Operations Officer Ground Station Operator Satellite Operations Engineer CREW SHIFT RESPONSIBILITES: Pre-Contact Satellite Contact Post-Contact DATA DISTRIBUTION

19. Mission Phases Post Launch Commissioning Determine basic health Determine sub-system health Activate software Test all software tasks Verify all software tasks Transition to normal operations • Normal Operations • Download telemetry data • Download payload data • Maintenance operations • Extended Operations • Decommissioning • Power Down all hardware • Turn off Transmitter Normal Operations Commissioning Decommissioning Approx. 6 Weeks Approx. 6 Months Undetermined

20. Spacecraft Power Nominal

21. Battery Temperature Nominal

22. Thermal Design Verified

23. FS-3 Payload On-Orbit Checkout PLANE FLAPS Self Test Successful Amplifier Threshold Scan Nominal

24. MPACS All MPACS Tubes Fired Successfully

25. Data Use Primary User: USAFA Physics Department Will digest data and create detailed models Who else will use the data? Air Force Research Labs (AFRL) NASA Air Force Space & Missile Center Space Test Program (SMC/STP) APL Boeing United Launch Alliance SpaceQuest Surrey Institute Busek (MPACS) CSA Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) And more…

26. FalconSAT-5 Science Motivation Problem: Need RF and plasma measurement correlation USAFA cadets & faculty/AFRL scientists improve ionospheric models iMESA characterizes ambient plasma environment WISPERS characterizes perturbed plasma environment from thruster firings RUSS characterizes VHF signal distortion to supplement in situ plasma measurements Turbulence in the ionosphere distorts VHF signal Solution: FalconSAT-5 SERB Experiments improve space situational awareness capabilities Payload synergy supports science objectives for a well-integrated mission

27. FalconSAT-5 Experiment Objectives WISPERS Measure ions resulting from ion source to validate USAFA and AFRL/PR plume models iMESA Detect the temperature and density of ambient ions to validate ionospheric data assimilation models RUSS Received VHF Signal Strength meter Characterize VHF signal distortion to improve ionospheric models

28. Design Constraints FalconSAT-5 designed to be compliant with the ESPA constraints Key Constraints: Internal boom configuration Aids integration with potential LVs Satisfies Minotaur 1 or Minotaur 4 User’s Guide

29. Satellite Configuration Overview NADIR ZENITH Gravity gradient boom SmartMESA antennas WISPERS ANTI-RAM RAM SmartMESA Ion source

30. STP Minotaur Mission FalconSAT-5 STP-SIV/SPEX PnPSat • Three satellites are considered for STP Minotaur launch in Fall 2009 • Launch vehicle CDR scheduled for Oct 07

31. Integrate Three Satellites FalconSAT-5 • ~ 24” x 28” x 36” • three payloads PnPSat • ~ 24” x 28” x 30” • four payloads • (one USAFA) SIV/SPEX • ~ 24” x 28” x 30” (?) • one payload (?) ?

32. FalconSAT-5 Schedule Design/test SEM test PDR Design/test CDR QM test Integrate/test AIT FM test Launch/opns launch commission operations operations reports

33. What are we looking at? The Deliverables represent the Product Tangible items that will survive past May 2005 2005 legacy! The Master Schedule represents the Process A road map that tells how to get there from here Step-by-steps tasks that lead to the product Time and order dependence! To complicate things Lots of things happening at the same time Different teams pulled in several directions at once Individuals with multiple responsibilities

34. Expectations What you can expect from the faculty! Provide clear vision of the big picture (What’s the mission?) Provide a specific road map/process (How do we accomplish it?) Provide specific guidance of responsibilities (What’s my job?) Provide resources needed to do the job (Money, manpower, information) Provide timely feedback (How am I doing?)

35. Expectations (cont.) What I’d expect of a 2Lt Understand the mission Know your job Committed to getting the job done Take responsibility for organizing your time & resources Provide timely feedback on how things are going Give advance warning if things are going off course “Nothing Great is Easy” – Capt Matthew Webb

36. Expectations In this Program “Champions don’t make excuses.” Freda Streeter Understand the Program Deliverables If you don’t why we’re doing something—ask! If there is a better way—suggest it! Understand the Master Schedule This is your schedule! It defines your process If you don’t why we’re doing something—ask! If there is a better way—suggest it! If there is something missing—tell someone! Know how your efforts fit into the big picture—there is no dead wood!

37. Mgt Team Responsibilities FalconSAT-3 Program Manager Total System Performance Responsibility (TSPR) for FS-3 Mission Cost/Schedule/Performance Program Milestones, e.g. Flight Readiness Review (FRR) Logistics Plan: Integration to Launch Supports Program PR FalconSAT-4 Program Manager TSPR for FS-4 Mission Cost/Schedule/Performance Program Milestones Supports Program PR Chief Engineer (TBD) Serves as Program Systems Engineer (FS2 + FS3 +FS4) Total system technical insight/oversight Identify and resolve system interface and technical issue Identify system performance trade-offs to PM’s and PD and helps to resolve Supports Program PR Assistant Program Director for MIS Manages FalconSAT/FalconLAUNCH management info systems (website, dbase, project, etc.) Works with PMs to collect, collate and disseminate program data (% complete, action items, hours logged) Works with PD and PMs to develop and manage program budget and procurement Supports Program Travel and Logistics Planning/Execution Supports Program PR Documentation! FalconOPS Program Manager Ensures Ops team is ready for FS-2 flight Commissioning, Normal Operations Ops Plan for FS-3 Ops, Avionics and Mech team leads also on mgt team

38. Operations Systems Team Responsibilities FS-3/4 Operations Planning Mission Planning and Analysis Orbit/pass planning Link budgets Power budgets Thermal system analysis/design ADCS simulation, algorithm development and software requirements definition Payload planning and software req’ts definition VAST Operations Plan Development Frequency coordination/mgt Ground station & EGSE design • FS-3/4 Software Design/Development/Testing • Housekeeping Software • ADCS Software • Payload Software • Ground Ops Software • Facilities Mgt • Ground station • Clean room • EGSE • Support other program activities as required • Provide inputs to program documentation • Support Mech team in Fabrication • Support AIT, ESPA Integration and Science WGs

39. Avionics Systems Team Responsibilities Primary design & acquisition responsibility system avionics hardware Define and manage payload/subsystem specifications and documentation Define and manage payload/subsystem electrical and mechanical interfaces “Face to the customer/contractor” for all avionics hardware Develop/manage payload/subsystem Interface Control Documents (ICDs) Define subsystem acceptance/qualification/flight testing requirements System Avionics Hardware = Power subsystem hardware (batteries, power module, solar panels) Data Handling Subsystem Hardware (IFC) Communications Subsystem Hardware (RX, TX, Antennas) Attitude Determination & Control Subsystem (ADCS) Hardware (Boom, Magnetorquers, Magnetometer, Sun Sensors, Wheel) Payload Hardware (MPACS, FLAPS, PLANE, Boom) Harness FS-4 support Support other program activities as required Provide inputs to program documentation Fabricate components for Mech Team Support AIT, ESPA Integration WGs

40. Mechanical Subsystems Team Responsibilities Design and build all spacecraft structures and mechanical systems Develop and maintain system drawing package CAD Models Mechanical drawings Parts list Develop and maintain system mass properties Manage all payload/subsystem mechanical interfaces Support launch vehicle integration/interface FEM Stress analysis Fit checks LV ICD Design, fabricate, assemble, test, deliver FS-3 MGSE Validate QM assembly plan Fabricate FM Structural Components FS-4 support Support other program activities as required Provide inputs to program documentation Support AIT, ESPA Integration and Science WGs

41. AIT/Payload Working Group Focal point for program assembly, integration and testing (AIT) requirements and activities Develop system test plans Coordinate test facilities Develop AIT procedures Lead AIT training activities Lead Test Campaign Test Logistics! Payload Working Group Make sure avionics team is aware of payload requirements and payloads understand the satellite program schedule

42. Faculty Organization Department Head France Schriever Chair IC Interface-Saylor Dep. for Operations Charlton Research Director Chappell FalconSat NCOIC Wickersheim Center Director Lawrence Dep dir. for Acquisition/Pm’s ???? Chief Scientist McHarg FalconOPS Swanson (Clark, White, Siegenthaler, Bruno) Program Manager FalconSat-4 Lawrence/Saylor, Sandfry, Ketsdever Program Manager FalconSat-3 Lawrence/Saylor Team Leader Operations Systems Saylor (White, Vergez-ADCS, Swanson, Bruno, Clark, Brown, Hart-Documentation, Sobers, Sandfry) Team Leader Avionics Systems Lawrence (Krause, Enloe, McHarg. White, Ketsdever, Wickersheim) Team Leader Mechanical Systems Shertzer (Waite, Strackany, George) ESPA Saylor

43. Organization -- Cadets Program Manager Program Manager Chief Engineer FalconSAT-3/ FalconSAT-4 Assistant Program FalconOps Program Manager Director FalconSat -3 FalconSat - -4 MIS / Acquisition Team Leader Team Leader Team Leader Operations Avionics FS-3/FS-4 Mechanical Systems Fs-3/FS-4 Systems FS-3/FS-4 ESPA AIT Working Group Payload Working Group

44. FS-3 Payload On-Orbit Checkout PLANE FLAPS Self Test Successful Amplifier Threshold Scan Nominal

45. Notable Visitors & Tours SECAF Head of European Union Space Policy Institute Deputy Undersecretary for DoD Space United States Congressman from Minnesota AFRL/VS CC Russian Space Forces Four-Star Commander Air Force Times AFOSR/CC French Air Defense Commander SpaceX CEO with USAFA/CC and USAFA/DF NASA Associate Administrator CIA Clandestine Operations Chief Air Staff FM Dean of Argentinean Air Force Academy Various Industry Tours